Min Requirement Chances

[Ogmora]

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I searched the threads and couldnt find exactly what I was looking for...of course I'm currently experiencing PMS (post-traumatic MCAT syndrome) so I may be stressing too much...

Anyway,

I'm working on meeting the minimum requirements for application to DO schools after a poor softmore year. I'm aiming for meeting and hopefully exceeding a 3.0 cGPA and average MCAT scores. If i just meet the min reqs. and apply to all the DO schools, what are my chances of getting an interview? (provided my extracirriculars, personal statement are average)

Also, should i take biochem? I know it would help, and it is recommended for some schools, but if it hurts my gpa is it worth it?

Looking for (semi) positive, realistic replies 🙂

Thanks

 

[timmaycakes]

Have you finished all the other pre reqs? How was your MCAT? Put your priorities in doing well on the those two components of your application. If you find a way to excel in your basic science coursework, you'll generally do well in biochem.

Also, you mentioned that a lot of your application is "average". While it is true that D.O schools are more understanding of past academic blunders, most people with average/low stats got in because some aspect of their application was outstanding (ECs, PS, LORs, High MCAT w/ Low GPA or vice versa, and other intangibles like motivation and drive). Meeting the minimum requirements for a D.O program will not guarantee interviews. Focus on beefing up your application all-around and you'll see the results 😀

And don't stress too much, you still have a lot of time to show your academic potential.

 

[LifeTake2]

You asked for a realistic answer.

IF you are this far out and only targeting being a mediocre applicant meeting the bare minimum it will show and your likelihood of an acceptance is probably <10%.

As stated above, very few successful applicants are minimum/average on all points. To find yourself in that position at 30 as a non-trad means you might be able to push the EC's and PS content and get in. To be there at 22 because that was your goal will NOT get you into medical school.

Sorry if this missed the positive aspect of your request, but it is 100% realistic.

 

[MedPR]

I searched the threads and couldnt find exactly what I was looking for...of course I'm currently experiencing PMS (post-traumatic MCAT syndrome) so I may be stressing too much...

Anyway,

I'm working on meeting the minimum requirements for application to DO schools after a poor softmore year. I'm aiming for meeting and hopefully exceeding a 3.0 cGPA and average MCAT scores. If i just meet the min reqs. and apply to all the DO schools, what are my chances of getting an interview? (provided my extracirriculars, personal statement are average)

Also, should i take biochem? I know it would help, and it is recommended for some schools, but if it hurts my gpa is it worth it?

Looking for (semi) positive, realistic replies 🙂

Thanks

😕

Every school has different minimum requirements.

 

[Goro]

STRONGLY concur with this post. Considering that our avg matriculant is in the 3.4-3.5 range, and with an MCAT that's 29.5+, do you think you'll be competitive?

You asked for a realistic answer.

IF you are this far out and only targeting being a mediocre applicant meeting the bare minimum it will show and your likelihood of an acceptance is probably <10%.

As stated above, very few successful applicants are minimum/average on all points. To find yourself in that position at 30 as a non-trad means you might be able to push the EC's and PS content and get in. To be there at 22 because that was your goal will NOT get you into medical school.

Sorry if this missed the positive aspect of your request, but it is 100% realistic.

 

[Ogmora]

Have you finished all the other pre reqs? How was your MCAT? Put your priorities in doing well on the those two components of your application. If you find a way to excel in your basic science coursework, you'll generally do well in biochem.

Also, you mentioned that a lot of your application is "average". While it is true that D.O schools are more understanding of past academic blunders, most people with average/low stats got in because some aspect of their application was outstanding (ECs, PS, LORs, High MCAT w/ Low GPA or vice versa, and other intangibles like motivation and drive). Meeting the minimum requirements for a D.O program will not guarantee interviews. Focus on beefing up your application all-around and you'll see the results 😀

And don't stress too much, you still have a lot of time to show your academic potential.

I'm taking my second semester of Organic Chem (Orgo II) and the lab in the spring...Still waiting on my MCAT Sept. 18 is when the results come back. I felt pretty confident going into it and taking it, I'm just anxious about getting my score.

Well, hypothetically, IF my application was average, I was curious what the chances would be. However, I like to think that my EC's and PS are above average (though I would be curious what the average EC, PS, and LOR would look like, any idea what an exceptional EC resume would be? )

Also, I'm in need of LOR and have no idea where to go. I cant imagine getting an above average letter from 3 professors just by attending office hours....is that what i'm supposed to do? I'm currently volunteering with a Ph.d research professor, but havent been in a class of hers...I'm hoping to get a good letter from her since we work in such a close capacity, but wouldnt expect any of my other professors to write a letter of similar magnitude.

Im also now looking into grad school, grad certficates, masters programs, etc. Would a semster of grad work with a high GPA be sufficient to offset a lower ug GPA? (providing the rest of my app is at or above average)

Thanks for the replies, I do appreciate the realistic ones 👍

Just to clarify, I was interested in D.O. before i found out about their leniency for applicant grades and scores and am hoping that my determination/motivation/intrest in osteopathy will help with my app.

My intention isn't to be an average applicant, I'd love to be in the 99.9% percentile but realistically, I know it's more likely I'll be closer to 50% even if I am a 99.9% student for the rest of my term

I understand the schools all have different requirements, but i'd like to know, in general, what i should do to prepare and what i should anticipate after I apply to them

 

[timmaycakes]

Good luck on your MCAT!

Comparing ECs is a little difficult. I think it's better to look at what your ECs say about you as a person. Are you a leader? A researcher? A dedicated volunteer? Adcoms look at ECs to get a picture of your interests, motivations, dedication, and special abilities.

If you're lucky, you'll have professors that knows how med school recs work. Most professors of large pre-med classes understand that their time with you is limited to office hours. Pre-med classes are huge and professors (in my experience) are usually annoyed if you come see them for no other reason than to "get to know" them. What they DO usually appreciate is that you do well in class, make enough of an impression for them to know your name without annoying them, and that you send them a nice interview request with an attached CV, transcript, and PS. By making the professor's job easier and being prompt, you'll have distinguished yourself from the hordes of pre-meds clamoring for a recommendation from him/her 😀. With any luck the prof will invite you for a quick chat about your goals and whip up a decent rec. It goes without saying that you should always be professional and enthusiastic in any interactions with professors. Let them SEE how invested you are in med school.

Of course, you may have terrible luck and have a professor who will write "Ogmora was an A student, but I didn't know him very well since I talked to him only at office hours. But I suppose he will be a good Dr.". Avoid this at all costs. You sort of need to gauge the chance of this happening by your interactions with the prof and how enthusiastic they look when you meet up with them.

I'm not too sure if a semester of Grad work will help you. The only programs I know that give guaranteed benefits are SMPs. Maybe someone else with experience in that area can chime in.

In the end, adcoms are trying to build an idea of who you are (qualities, intelligence, drive, etc.) through the sum of your academic and personal achievements. If you look at it that way you'll be able to see what you need to work on.

 

[dudeliness]

Regarding LORs, do what was mentioned above (good grades, class attendance and participation, etc) but I would also recommend putting together a packet you can give your letter writers that includes a photo of you (so they can remember you more easily), a CV, a personal statement, and instructions on how they submit the letter and maybe even on what you'd like there to be in the letter.
Plus, set up a time with them when you can come in and maybe talk a little about your motivations or just verbalize what's in your packet. That way they can get to know you even better.
This is also good practice for application essay writing and interview skills.
Good luck!

 

[Temperature101]

STRONGLY concur with this post. Considering that our avg matriculant is in the 3.4-3.5 range, and with an MCAT that's 29.5+, do you think you'll be competitive?

Which DO school is that? 29.5 mcat seems a little bit high.....

 

[Goro]

Let's just say one that's somewhere west of St Louis. And our Class of 2016 indeed has an MCAT score that's right around 29.5. At the rate we've been going over the past several years, we should crack 30 for the 2017s.

Which DO school is that? 29.5 mcat seems a little bit high.....

 

[Ogmora]

OK. I just got my scores back, so here's an update on my application situation:

27M MCAT
8 Verbal 9 Physical 10 Biology

3.1cGPA, 3.2sGPA (A- in Organic Chem I, I heard adocoms look at organic separately)
I have two or three semesters left with about 39 credits to go

ECs:


Plus a ton (200+) of other volunteer hours with misc. organizations

AMA CPR certified


..........

So now I'm looking for LoR. How many should I get and from what type of background should they be?

Last thing I read was that I would need 3 from science professors, 1 from a DO, and 2 from non-science professors/coworkers/employers/peers??

 

[Ogmora]

**

 

[as1212559]

Not a bad MCAT, and your GPAs aren't the end of the world. I was in your shoes once with numbers like that going into my last year before applying (slightly higher MCAT, but my ECs pale in comparison). Don't avoid things like biochem because they are hard. Take them because they are hard. There is never any time like the present to challenge yourself and prove that you can get top marks in upper level stuff.

Push those GPAs up as close to 3.3-3.4 as possible, and I would say with a 27 and ECs like that you are odds on to get an acceptance somewhere. If you wanted to retake your MCAT and got like a 30 I think you could get a number of interviews/acceptances.

Strong ECs. Try to get some physician shadowing in (~50+ hours should suffice). You have tons of clinical experience hands on, but seeing the what it's like to be a doc is important to (and the letter of rec is big).

If I were you I would go for 2 science faculty letters, one DO letter, a boss at work or someone who knows you really well in your EMT setting, and either a research advisor/other faculty/other boss. Make that last LOR a good one is probably the key to choosing who to get it from.

My .02

 

[Goro]

Congrats on the MCAT! Your GPAs are at the low end of competetive, but I'll bet you'll get plenty of interviews. After that, it's up to you.

OK. I just got my scores back, so here's an update on my application situation:

27M MCAT
8 Verbal 9 Physical 10 Biology

3.1cGPA, 3.2sGPA (A- in Organic Chem I, I heard adocoms look at organic separately)
I have two or three semesters left with about 39 credits to go

ECs:
Just got a job offer as a Medical Supervisor at a Plasma donation Center

Volunteer Research assistant in hypertension study

Certified EMT-B in NJ and FL with over 1800 hours of volunteer service on an Ambulance and in ER

Plus a ton (200+) of other volunteer hours with misc. organizations

AMA CPR certified

Secretary of my Fraternity

Exec board member of Pre-med club

Proficient Spanish Speaker

Former Semi-Pro Quarterback (a stretch for a leadership role?)
..........

So now I'm looking for LoR. How many should I get and from what type of background should they be?

Last thing I read was that I would need 3 from science professors, 1 from a DO, and 2 from non-science professors/coworkers/employers/peers??

 

[wjs010]

I would heed others' advice as well. You have a higher-than-avg MCAT..I believe the avg is 24-26 at most schools...If you bring up the GPA just a little, you'll probably get in somewhere if you apply broadly. Definitely look up the newest schools and apply there.